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I I I I I I I I Environmental Impact I Analysis Process I I I I I Environmental Assessment for I Munitions Buildings I United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi I January 2006 I I Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1. REPORT DATE 3. DATES COVERED JAN 2006 2. REPORT TYPE 00-00-2006 to 00-00-2006 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Environmental Assessment for Munitions Buildings 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION 14th Flying Training Wing,555 Simler Blvd Ste 102,Columbus REPORT NUMBER AFB,MS,39701 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT The purpose of the proposed action is to construct a multi-cube storage building and a maintenance/inspection building on Columbus AFB. This EA evaluates the Proposed Action, Alternative Actions, the No Action Alternative and the cumulative impacts. The Altemative Actions were dismissed because of increased maintenance costs, safety and security issues. The No Action Alternative would result in no changes to the environment, but would also not provide basic storage, and maintenance/inspection of munitions. Resources considered in the impact analysis were land use, air quality, hazardous materials and wastes, surface water, wetlands, flood plains, wi ldlife, vegetation, and environmental justice. No significant impacts would result from the Proposed Action, Alternative Action, or No Action Altemative, nor would there be any cumulative impacts from other construction actions rumow1ced for Cohm1bus AFB. 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF 18. NUMBER 19a. NAME OF ABSTRACT OF PAGES RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT b. ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE Same as 62 unclassified unclassified unclassified Report (SAR) Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 I I FINDING OF NO PRACTICABLE ALTERNATIVE (FONPA) I AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) I MUNITIONS BUILDINGS COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE (AFB), MISSISSIPPI I A Draft Envirorunental Assessment (EA) was prepared for the construction of two munitions buildings, a maintenance/inspection building and a munitions storage building at Columbus AFB. Columbus AFB is approximately ten miles noiihwest of the city of I Columbus in Lowndes County, Mississippi. The current buildings which would require considerable repairs were constructed 40 years ago and are seriously deteriorated. They are no longer functional for munitions maintenance/inspection and storage. I The Proposed Action is to constmct two buildings. Other altematives considered were: repair the existing structures, install portable buildings in the munitions area, and the No I Action Altemative of continuing to use the existing buildings. The two action . altematives (repair the existing stmctures and install portable buildings) were dismissed from the environmental assessment because of increased maintenance requirements, and I design requirements. The No Action Altemative would result in no changes to the environment, but would also not provide facilities which meet the requirements of security or space for inspection, maintenance, and packing of munitions. I The westem and northwestem area ofthe base is within the 100-year flood plain. The munitions area is within the 100-year flood plain area. The buildings are to be built I within the current mtmitions area and, therefore, would be in the 10 0-year flood plain. Therefore, there is no practicable altemative to the Proposed Action. I Measures to prevent adverse environmental impacts to the flood plain would be taken by limiting disturbed areas during constmction. All construction activity would last only a few days in any specific area. Before the buildings are installed, the area would be grade I cleared and filled. No measurable impact on flood plain, flood flows or drainage pattems would result from the Proposed Action since the construction site is inside a raised road that encircles the munitions area. The road was constructed above the flood plain I elevation. In addition no gmbbing or filling activities would occur within or adjacent to any wetlands. I There are no threatened or endangered species on base, and impacts to wildlife and vegetation would be minor. There would be no wastewater discharged into the flood I plain or wetlands, and no generation or disposal of hazardous wastes would occur within the wetlands or the flood plain zone. Air quality and noise impacts would only occur during constmction and would be short-term. Air quality around Columbus AFB is in I attainment, and a conformity detemunation pursuant to the Clean Air Act is not required. I I I I The draft EA and draft FONPA /FONSI were made available to the public for a 30-day comment period from September 21 through October 21,2005, as required by 32 CFR I Part 989.15 (e) (2). No comments were received. Finding Of No Practicable Alternative: Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and taking I the above information into consideration, I find there is no practicable alternative to this action and the Proposed Action includes all practicable measures to minimize harm to the existing environment. In accordance with Executive Order 11988, Section 2(a)(2), the I Columbus AFB Environmental Flight has sent notices to Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the State of Mississippi, State Clearinghouse for Federal Programs. I I ONARD A. PATRICK, Colonel, USAF Date The Civil Engineer I Air Education and Training Command I Finding Of No Significant Impact: Based on my review ofthe facts and analysis contained in the environmental assessment, which is attached and incorporated by reference, I conclude the Proposed Action would not have a significant impact either by I itself or considering cumulative impacts. Accordingly, the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, regulations promulgated by the President's Council on Environmental Quality, and 32 Code ofFederal Regulations 989 (Environmental Impact I Analysis Process) have been fulfilled, and an Environmental Impact Statement is not required and would not be prepared. I I STEPHEN W. WILSON, olonel, USAF Date Commander, 14th Flying Training Wing I I I I I I I I I I I I Cover Sheet I I I I I I I I I I I I 2 I I I COVER SHEET I I Environmental Assessment for Munitions Buildings I • Responsible Agency: Department of the Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, 14th Flying Training Wing, Columbus Air Force Base (AFB), I Lowndes County, Mississippi. • Proposed Action: To construct a multi-cube storage building and a I maintenance/inspection building within the munitions storage area within the Columbus AFB property line. I • Written comments and inquiries regarding this document should be directed to: 14 FTW/PA, 555 Seventh Street, Columbus AFB, Mississippi 39710, (662) 434-7068 on or before 31 September 2005. I • Abstract: The purpose of the proposed action is to construct a multi-cube storage building and a maintenance/inspection building on Columbus AFB. This EA I evaluates the Proposed Action, Alternative Actions, the No Action Alternative, and the cumulative impacts. The Altemative Actions were dismissed because of increased maintenance costs, safety and security issues. The No Action I Alternative would result in no changes to the environment, but would also not provide basic storage, and maintenance/inspection of munitions. Resources considered in the impact analysis were land use, air quality, hazardous materials I and wastes, surface water, wetlands, flood plains, wildlife, vegetation, and environmental justice. No significant impacts would result from the Proposed I Action, Alternative Action, or No Action Altemative, nor would there be any cumulative impacts from other construction actions rumow1ced for Cohm1bus AFB. I I I I I I 3 I I I Table of Contents I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 4 I I I TABLE OF CONTENTS COVER SHEET .............................................................................................................................................. 3 I TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................ 5 Chapter 1.0 Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action ...................................................................... 8 1.1 Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action ................................................................................. 8 1.2 Location of the Proposed Action ....................................................................................................... 8 I 1.3 Scope of the Environmental Review ............................................................................................... ! 0 1.4 Applicable Regulatory Requirements ............................................................................................. 11 1.5 Inti'Oduction to the Organization of the Document ....................................................................... 11 I 1.6 Public lnvolvement ........................................................................................................................... 12 Chapter 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES .................... 14 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 14 2.2 History of the Formulation of Alternatives .................................................................................... 14 I 2.3 Alternatives Eliminated From Further Consideration ................................................................. 14 2.4 Detailed Description of the Proposed Action ................................................................................. 14 2.5 Description of the No Action Alternative ....................................................................................... 14 I 2.6 Other Actions Announced for Columbus AFB .............................................................................. 15 2. 7 Comparison of Environmental Effects of All Alternatives ........................................................... 17 Chapter 3.0 AFFECTED ENVffiONMENT ............................................................................................ 19 3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 19 I 3.2 History of Columbus AFB ............................................................................................................... 19 3.3 Description of the Affected Environment.. ..................................................................................... l9 3.3.1 Military Mission ........................................................................................................................ 19 I 3.3.2 Air Quality ................................................................................................................................. 19 3.3.3 Hazardous Materials and Wastes ............................................................................................ 20 3.3.4 Surface Water ............................................................................................................................ 20 3.3.5 Wetlands ..................................................................................................................................... 20 I 3.3.6 Flood plains ................................................................................................................................ 20 3.3.7 Wildlife ....................................................................................................................................... 20 3.3.8 Vegetation .................................................................................................................................. 20 I 3.3.9 Environn1ental Justice .............................................................................................................. 21 Chapter 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ........................................................................... 23 4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 23 4.2 Change in Current Mission ............................................................................................................. 23 I 4.3 Description of the Effects of All Alternatives on the Affected Environment .............................. 23 4.3.1 Military Mission ........................................................................................................................ 23 4.3.2 Air Quality ................................................................................................................................. 23 I 4.3.3 Hazardous Materials and Wastes ............................................................................................ 23 4.3.4 Surface Water ............................................................................................................................ 24 4.3.5 Wetlands ..................................................................................................................................... 24 4.3.6 Flood plains ................................................................................................................................ 24 I 4.3.7 Wildlife ....................................................................................................................................... 25 4.3.8 Vegetation .................................................................................................................................. 25 4.3.9 Environmental Justice .............................................................................................................. 25 I 4.4 Cumulative Impacts ......................................................................................................................... 25 Appendix A LIST OF PREPARERS ........................................................................................................ 28 Appendix B LIST OF PERSONS AND AGENCIES CONSULTED ..................................................... 30 Appendix C LIST OF REFERENCES ..................................................................................................... 32 I Appendix D Interagency and Intergovernmental Coordination for Environmental Plannjng Correspondence ........................................................................................................................................... 34 Appendix E Air Force Form 813 ................................................................................................................ 39 I Appendix F FEMA Permits and Maps ..................................................................................................... .49 5 I I I Appendix G Site Map .................................................................................................................................. 57 Appendix H SS-32 TCE Plume .................................................................................................................. 59 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 6 I I I I I Chapter 1 Purpose of and Need I for the Proposed Action I I I I I I I I I I I I I 7 I